(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police arrested a woman for leaving the scene of a crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist in Mastic on Monday, July 6.

Blanca Rivera was driving her Honda Accord westbound on Eleanor Avenue when she made a left turn onto Clover Street at approximately 1:35 p.m. Glen Brunskill, who was also traveling westbound behind the Honda, attempted to pass the vehicle on the left hand side when Rivera’s vehicle struck Brunskill. Rivera fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later by Seventh Precinct Officer John Levasseur.

Suffolk County Police arrested Blanca Rivera, 30, of Mastic, for leaving the scene of a crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist in Mastic on Monday, July 6. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Brunskill, 47, of Southampton, was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was listed in serious condition.

Rivera, 30, of Mastic, was charged with Leaving the Scene of An Incident Without Reporting Involving Serious Physical Injury. She will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on July 7.

The Honda and the motorcycle were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Town Supervisor John Venditto Announces More Than 35,000 Pounds of Food Collected Through Local Food Drives Since 2007 for Island Harvest

(Long Island, NY) Randi Shubin Dresner, President & CEO, Island Harvest and Doreen Principe, Senior Food Drive Coordinator, Island Harvest, were recently recognized in front of the Town of Oyster Bay Town Board where they were invited in gratitude for their work to help end hunger in the Town of Oyster Bay, as well as celebrate those local Town residents, who have helped make a difference.  In partnership with the Town since 2007, Island Harvest has been the recipient of more than 35,000 pounds of food collected through ongoing local food drives, hosted by the Town of Oyster Bay.

Island Harvest was recognized by the Town of Oyster Bay Town Board for their work to help end hunger in the Town of Oyster Bay. Photo Credit: TOB.

“We are honored to be working with Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and the Town of Oyster Bay, which has been hosting food drives to benefit Island Harvest since 2007,” stated Randi Shubin Dresner.  “One in every 10 Long Islanders receives food from the Island Harvest network, totaling close to 316,000 Long Islanders.  In the Town of Oyster Bay alone, we have 17 emergency and community based member agencies to help make an impact in the community, and the food collected each year from local Town residents has had a huge impact on the response work of Island Harvest.  We are grateful for this partnership.”

“Over the last eight years, the Town of Oyster Bay has proudly joined with Island Harvest Food Bank in their important work to solve hunger on Long Island,” said Supervisor Venditto. “Our residents and our employees have supported the Town’s food drive efforts and they should take pride in the results so far. However, as impressive as this is, there is still much work to do as hunger affects one in 10 Long Islanders. The Town of Oyster Bay will continue to support Island Harvest and its vital mission of ending hunger on Long Island. Island Harvest is truly an outstanding organization whose tireless efforts have made a difference in the lives of many.”
Since 1992, Island Harvest has grown to become the largest hunger relief organization in the region, feeding and supporting 316,000 Long Islanders annually, helping to change the lives of millions.  By relying on volunteers, in-kind services, and donated food, more than .95 cents of every dollar donated to Island Harvest directly benefits Island Harvest’s robust programs and initiatives.

With a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, Island Harvest has pioneered innovative and effective food and product collection and distribution systems, hunger awareness and nutrition education programs, job training programs, services for targeted populations, and outreach and advocacy initiatives.  Island Harvest is the region’s leading agency in disaster relief and emergency response readiness for food and product distribution, support and services.  Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

(Southampton, NY) Master Chef Marco Barrila, Owner and Chef for the famous Insatiable EATS LLC Catering to the stars is opening “Il Posto Mercato At The Rez”, a specialty Farm Market and Eatery with Chef Marco’s Sicilian “Barrila Twist”. Originally from Messina, Sicily, Chef Marco creates foods that embrace his heritage and reflect the authentic regional tastes he wants to share with the world.

“Il Posto Mercato At The Rez” day and night eatery will feature Chef Marco’s signature line of Insatiable Pasta Sauces and his famous outrageous Canapés. Organic, GMO free, and gluten free choices are available alongside cured fine meats, cheeses, Paninis, and local seafood selections with the “Barrila Twist”

Chef Marco Barrila comments, “The Barrila sauces will bring the passion of Sicily to your table. The sauces will be distinguished for the authenticity of the Flavors. Each ingredient is picked personally from natural local farms or imported from Sicily.”

The “Il Posto Mercato At The Rez” is on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation “Outpost” located at 51 Montauk Highway in Southampton, New York. A perfect hot spot for al fresco dining on the outdoor deck or for people looking for healthy and delicious food on the go.

Chef Marco uses local farm fresh products and supports the local community. The Grand Opening of the “Il Posto Mercato At The Rez” to be announced in a shortly. For more information and a glimpse at the “Il Posto Mercato At The Rez” menu items, visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sheila.barrila.5.

Contact:
Sheila Minkel Barrila
Owner, Insatiable EATS LLC
TEL – (631) 377‐3353
FAX – (631) 204‐6684
Email‐ info@insatiableeates.com

(Long Island, NY) George Clinton and Funkadelic highlight a series of free outdoor concerts this week. In addition to the live music, fun-seekers can choose a Colombia flower extravaganza, a noncompetitive bike race, a book festival, plenty of movies, and a night market. Here’s the rundown.

July 9, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, 7:30 pm. The Central Astoria LDC’s 2015 Waterfront Concert Series begins with a night of music from the Harlem Renaissance (1930s-1940s). Free. Astoria Park’s Great Lawn, Shore Boulevard between the Hell Gate Bridge and the pool, www.centralastoria.org.

July 9, Preview Screening of Boulevard with director Dito Montiel in person, 7 pm. The movie Boulevard premiered to warm praise at the Tribeca Film Festival, but its release was delayed after main actor Robin Williams’s death last summer. Now it premieres on July 10, but it screens at the Museum of the Moving Image the night before with Astoria-born director Montiel in attendance. $15. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.

July 9, Flushing Historical Diversity Tour, 6:30 pm. Official Queens historian Jack Eichenbaum walks and talks about the area’s past and present. $12/$6 for children. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.

July 10, My Darling Clementine, 7 pm. Screened as part of The Essential John Ford, a series on the consummate American filmmaker, My Darling Clementine depicts the real-life story of reluctant lawman Wyatt Earp and the legendary shootout at the OK Corral. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.

July 11, Festival de las Flores, 11 am to 6 pm. Floral displays and art demonstrations as part of a Colombian tradition. Son Chande, a Colombian coastal band, performs throughout the afternoon. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.

July 11, King Kong, 1 pm. Watch this classic Japanese film among enthusiasts. It’s the first of a King Kong series. Free. Greater Astoria Historical Society, Quinn Building, 35-20 Broadway, LIC, www.astorialic.org.
July 11, Children’s Book Celebration, noon to 4 pm. Readings and art making presented by local award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators in partnership with the Queens Library Summer Reading Program. Meet children’s book authors and illustrators. Enjoy story time in English, Spanish, Korean, Bengali, and Mandarin. Free and the first 200 attendees get a free poster. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queensmuseum.org.

July 11, How Green Was My Valley, 2 pm; My Darling Clementine, 5 pm. Screened as part of The Essential John Ford, a series on the consummate American filmmaker, How Green Was My Valley is about a Welsh coal-mining family during the rise of the labor movement. My Darling Clementine depicts the real-life story of reluctant lawman Wyatt Earp and the legendary shootout at the OK Corral. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.

July 12, Tour de Queens, 8 am (check in). This year’s route starts and ends in Astoria Park. It covers approximately 20 miles through Long Island City, Sunnyside, Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Corona with a rest stop at Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village, $22.50, www.transalt.org.

July 12, Flower Festival Parade, 10 am. A procession featuring Colombian flower artists down 37th Avenue, from 69th Street to 86th Street. After the parade, the public is invited to the Queens Botanical Garden for song and culture with visiting musicians and artists, food and craft vendors, and a ticketed comedy show. For more information, contact festivaldelasflores@gmail.com.

July 12, Peruvian Culture Celebration, 1:30 pm. Celebrate the Andean nation with hands-on art-making workshops, theater, and interactive dance performances. Free. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queensmuseum.org.

July 12, Live Polish Music, 2 pm. The Glukh Polka Band plays polkas, waltzes, and polonaises. Dance lesson at 1 pm. Free. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.

July 12, Bang on a Can, 3 pm. This music series presents Florent Ghys, a bassist who plays intimate pop-laced tunes from his new album Télévision, a foray into classical forms, musique concrète, samples, and sci-fi. Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., LIC, www.noguchi.org.

July 12, Pilgrimage, 2:30 pm; She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, 4:30 pm; Wagon Master, 7 pm. Screened as part of The Essential John Ford, a series on the consummate American filmmaker, Pilgrimage is about a mother who sends her son to war to prevent his marriage to a woman she doesn’t like. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon tells the tale of a grizzled old cavalry captain who has one last mission—to prevent a new Native American war—before his impending retirement. Wagon Master is a comedic western about a Mormon wagon expedition across Utah that joins up with a traveling medicine show and a group of outlaws. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.

July 14, SummerStage: Chi-Lites, 7 pm. The group originated from the 1970s Chicago R&B scene. In 2000, it was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Free. Queensbridge Park, Vernon Boulevard adjacent to the Queensboro Bridge, LIC, www.summerstage.com.

June 14, Con Brio Ensemble, 2 pm. This ensemble presents chamber music with works by Bach, Schubert, Schumann, and others. Light refreshments after concert. $12/$10 for students. Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing, www.vomuseum.org.

July 15, SummerStage: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, 7 pm. With wild costumes and classic funk grooves, this band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Free. Queensbridge Park, Vernon Boulevard adjacent to the Queensboro Bridge, LIC, www.summerstage.com.

July 15, Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life, dusk. The Film Forum, Rooftop Films, and Socrates Sculpture Park present the 17th annual, eight-week Outdoor Cinema Festival. The life and loves of French pop star Serge Gainsbourg are reimagined by comic book artist Joann Sfar in Gainsbourg, beginning with his childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, through his wild and crazy years in the 1950s and 1960s, when he was a lover of some of the world’s most glamorous women. Free. SSP, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.socratessculpturepark.org.

July 15, Yesterday and Today, 7 pm. This Beatles tribute band offers an outdoor concert. Free. Unisphere, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.nycparks.com.

July 15, My Reptile Guys, 10:30 am. An original and educational show featuring some exotic animals. Free. Crocheron Park’s Buz O’Rourke Playground, Bayside, www.nycparks.com.

July 16, Queens Night Market, 6 pm to 11 pm. A social event and night market with food, crafts, live performances, and a deejay. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.fnonightmarket.weebly.com.
July 16, SummerStage: Lyricist Lounge, 7 pm. Large Professor, a hip hop producer from Flushing, and Marley Marl, a hip hop producer from Queensbridge, perform. Free. Queensbridge Park, vicinity of 41st Road, 40th Avenue, Vernon Boulevard, and the East River, LIC, www.summerstage.org.

July 16, Alí Bello & The Sweet Wire Band, 6:30 pm. Through the Third Thursdays in Bliss Plaza program, Alí Bello & The Sweet Wire Band present Latin jazz fusion invigorated by Afro-Caribbean musical styles. Free. Bliss Plaza, Queens Boulevard and 46th Street under the elevated 7 train station, Sunnyside, www.sunnysideshines.org.

July 17, SummerStage: Soul Inscribed and Jennifer Cendaña Armas, 7 pm. Soul Inscribed plays a mix of hip hop, dub, funk, and soul. Armas is an interdisciplinary artist dedicated to unifying communities and telling stories of diasporas. She is a first generation Filipino-American. Free.

The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s wonderful attractions. More info at www.itsinqueens.com.

John Macaluso Hosts Live Demonstration, Discussion, and instruction on Drumming Technique

(Long Island, NY) On Wednesday, July 8th at 8:00PM, The Space @ Westbury’s All Music Lounge will be host to an incredibly informative event for drummers and musicians alike who want to learn from the best- drummer, producer, recording artist, and teacher John Macaluso. Having recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in music, including Dee Snider, Riot, KRS-1, and more- Macaluso has recorded of 200 albums, with 4 GOLD RECORDS to his credit!

John Macaluso. Photo Credit: All Music Lounge.

Born in New York, he’s toured worldwide as a session drummer, recording artist, teacher, clinician and producer, and has played for some of the world’s top artists in many different genres of music. His recording and touring list includes:

Yngwie Malmsteen, Symphony X, ARK, TNT, James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns and Roses), Union Radio, Joe Lynn Turner, Uli Jon Roth, George Lynch, Pete Steel, Felicia Collins (David Letterman Show), Starbreaker, Powermad, Spread Eagle, Danny Miranda (Queen), The Good Rats, Randy Coven, Alex Masi, Vitalij Kuprij, Chris Caffery (Trans Siberian Orchestra), Bobby Hambel (Biohazard), Tony Bongiovi, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Danny Spitz (Anthrax), MCM, Metal Mike (Rob Halford), Dave Eggar (Evenescence), and the list goes on!

Macaluso has also recorded multiple movie soundtracks including David Lynche’s “Wild At Heart” Movie starring Nicholas Cage and Laura Dern. John had a cameo appearance in the film as well as recording the soundtrack with band Powermad. The film won 1st place at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 1989. Other films include “Dad” Starring Jack Lemmon, and  “The Beatle Fan”.

John lives in Italy now and tours worldwide doing concerts and clinics, and he’s released a drum book titled “Repercussions”, with his second book “Drumming Linear” on the way. A songwriter as well, he’s written, recorded, produced and released a solo album titled John Macaluso & Union Radio “The Radio Waves Goodbye”, and has endorsements from Evans Drum Heads, Pro Mark Drum Sticks, Paiste Cymbals and Mark Drum Electric Drums.

With years of experience in so many facets of drumming and the music industry as a whole, you won’t want to miss the John Macaluso Drum Clinic in the All Music Lounge at The Space @ Westbury on Wednesday, July 8th at 8:00PM!

$10 Cover at the Door, 21+

For more information on The All Music Lounge and its upcoming attractions, please go to www.thespaceatwestbury.com or call 516-283-5566.

The Space management is actively scouting for talented comedians and musicians to appear at The Lounge. Please send audition tapes, videos and resumes to Jaime@thespaceatwestbury.com or email rickeberle@gmail.com.

More About the All Music Lounge @ The Space:

The Lounge has its own bar, can accommodate up to 125 patrons and can be used for receptions prior to special events, as well as the presentation of musicians, comedians and other performers. The Lounge’s warm and inviting atmosphere is an ode to The Space’s former life as a movie theater, featuring a granite bar, lighting fixtures created from vintage movie reels and decorated with showcases which display antique film projectors.

Some of the venue’s other upcoming performances include Wild Honey Thursday, July 16th; Long Island Industry Comedy Night Wednesday, July 22nd, and Memphis Crawl Thursday, August 20th.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) recently commented on SUNY Farmingdale President Dr. W. Hubert Keen’s decision to retire after seven years of service to the college.

“President Keen, time and time again, has brought a higher standard to SUNY Farmingdale, clearly establishing the college as one of the most elite in New York State,” said Lupinacci. “From the cutting edge advancements in solar energy research, to the infrastructural improvements of the campus itself, President Keen certainly leaves a profound legacy for all future Presidents to emulate.”

“I commend President Keen on his commitment to the students of SUNY Farmingdale and his contributions to the SUNY Higher Education system. As the ranking member of the committee on Higher Education, the Assemblyman for the 10th Assembly District and a professor at SUNY Farmingdale, I have frequently sought insight from President Keen and value the wisdom he has shared,” said Lupinacci.

“On behalf of my colleagues in the New York State Assembly and my fellow professors at SUNY Farmingdale, I applaud President Keen for his diligence as President of SUNY Farmingdale and wish him nothing but the best during the next step on an esteemed and distinguished career in academia.”

(Long Island, NY) The Second Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 4:45 am in Hicksville.

According to detectives, a female victim, 42, was walking through Cantiague Park- West John Street, when two unknown subjects approached her from behind and attempted to take her pocketbook. When the victim turned around she observed one of the subjects pointing a black handgun. The subjects then went through the victims’ pant pockets and took an undetermined amount of US currency. The subjects then fled on two black bicycles westbound on John Street.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Robbery that occurred on Friday, July 3, in Hicksville. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Subject #1 is described as a male black in his twenties, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark colored pants. Subject #2 is described as a male black in his twenties, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants. There were no injuries reported.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Some Employees Waited Months to Receive Pay

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos released his audit of Eager to Serve, Inc., a homeless shelter provider for Nassau County. The findings included under paying employees $4,899, not paying employees bi-weekly as required by New York State Labor Laws (sometimes delaying payments for months), employee time sheets not matching hours worked, and not providing complete original payroll records to the Comptroller’s Office. In one case an employee had to wait almost two years (658 days) to get paid. The audit period covered 2012-2014.

“The audit findings are not only very disturbing but may also underscore more extensive issues with the quality of housing provided to our neediest residents,” Comptroller Maragos said. “We intend to open a more extensive audit of the Homeless Shelter Industry on the quality of shelter being provided with taxpayer money.”

The audit found hourly rates paid to employees were less than the rates mandated by the Living Wage Law for 11 employees from 2012 through 2014 for a total of $4,899. The vendor also did not pay overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act which is the rate of one and one half the regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. For the period 2012-2014, overtime in the amount of $217 is due to two employees.

Employees were not paid on a timely basis, as required by New York State Labor Law. There was a significant lapse in the processing time that occurred from the date worked on the employee’s timesheet to the date the employee received pay (check was cut).  The number of days ranged from 27 to 658 days from the last date of the work period to the pay date (check date). Discrepancies were also found between the number of hours worked by employees as listed on paystubs and the hours shown on timesheets. This may have resulted in employees not being paid for the proper number of hours worked.

For Years 2012-2014 combined, the County made payments totaling $650,604 to the vendor.  Exhibit I below shows all fees paid in Years 2012 to 2014.

Exhibit I

The Nassau County Living Wage Law was enacted by the Nassau County Legislature in 2006 to raise the minimum wage of County employees and employees working for most of the County’s contractors. The Comptroller’s Office is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Law. The Living Wage is currently $15.50 an hour without health benefits, or $13.58 with health benefits.

The full report is available on our website.

Connect with Nassau County Comptroller Maragos Online: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Comptroller/index.html

All Regions See Triple-Digit Growth of Clean, Cost-effective Solar Power to Lower Costs for Residential Customers and Businesses

(Long Island, NY) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today the growth of solar in New York State has increased more than 300 percent from 2011 to 2014, which is twice the rate of U.S. solar growth overall. The significant increase affirms the value of Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy – which includes the $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative – to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.

“The Empire State is rapidly becoming a leader in clean energy technology, and that means greener and more sustainable communities for all New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “Through the $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative, we’re making solar a reality in virtually every corner of the state and building a brighter future today. I am proud to see New York pulling well ahead of the national average for the growing solar industry, and look forward to seeing that momentum continue in the years to come.”

As part of Reforming the Energy Vision, the $1 billion NY-Sun initiative is significantly expanding the use of solar throughout New York as it becomes a sustainable, subsidy-free industry already supporting thousands of jobs.

A total of 314.48 megawatts of solar electric was installed as of December 2014 across the state, equivalent to powering more than 51,000 homes. The substantial growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including the NY-Sun initiative, decline in solar electric component prices, and growth in the number of installer businesses marketing solar electric directly to consumers.

“Reforming the Energy Vision is already working to increase access for more and more New Yorkers to realize the benefits of local, clean energy,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York. “New York State’s booming solar industry is driven by individual and community interest in cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy, and Reforming the Energy Vision and NY-Sun are making it easier for businesses to meet this growing demand.”

Solar capacity tripled, quadrupled or quintupled in every region of the state other than Long Island, which has more installations than any other region. In addition, numbers of projects at least doubled in every region. The largest increase in percentage of megawatts was in the North Country, followed by the Finger Lakes, Central New York and New York City.

The following shows the percentage increase of megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and projects installed in each region across the state from 2011 to 2014:

Region                                  MW Installed Increase                   Projects Installed Increase
Capital Region                                 500%                                                  240%
Central New York                            519%                                                  299%
Finger Lakes                                     533%                                                  193%
Long Island                                       154%                                                  122%
Mid-Hudson                                      421%                                                  296%
Mohawk Valley                                 475%                                                  365%
New York City                                   516%                                                  548%
North Country                                   573%                                                  153%
Southern Tier                                   486%                                                  144%
Western New York                           216%                                                  171%

In addition, as of May 2015, more than 304 MW of solar photovoltaic was under contract, not yet installed, with an additional 65.6 MW of applications accepted, not yet contracted.

Maps showing megawatts of solar capacity for counties in each region and a chart showing pre-NY-Sun versus post-NY-Sun figures can be found here nyserda.ny.gov/solarcapacity.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar energy is the fastest growing energy technology in the United States today:

• Solar capacity grew in the United States by 146 percent from 2011 to 2014.
• Installed solar photovoltaic system prices in the United States have dropped steadily – by 8 percent from 2013 to 2014 and 49 percent from 2010.
• There are currently more than 538 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in New York, employing more than 7,000 people.
• New York State ranked 7th in the country for installed photovoltaic capacity in 2014, up from 9th a year earlier, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

“This exceptional solar growth demonstrates that New York State is doing what needs to be done to scale-up this renewable resource and move toward a sustainable solar industry,” said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “NYSERDA will continue to build on this momentum and work toward Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to create a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.”

An important pillar of Reforming the Energy Vision is the proposed Clean Energy Fund, a $5 billion investment over the next ten years in clean energy programs. The Clean Energy Fund encompasses four portfolios: Market Development, Innovation and Research, NY Green Bank and NY-Sun.

In 2014, the Governor made a historic commitment of nearly $1 billion to NY-Sun in order to significantly expand deployment of solar capacity throughout the state and transform New York’s solar industry to a sustainable, incentive-free sector. NY-Sun involves deploying public funds in a strategic manner to drive industry to scale and reduce burdens on ratepayers. It provides support for solar projects and uses a proven Megawatt Block system approach that is responsive to market conditions, allowing the solar market in each region of the state to grow at its own pace. It also includes support for work to decrease balance-of-system costs (everything except the cost of solar modules and inverters) through streamlined permitting, reduced acquisition costs and training of code officials and first responders.

Additional efforts under NY-Sun, such a Community Solar NY and K-Solar, are also helping homeowners, small businesses and schools throughout the State gain greater access to clean energy through economies of scale from soliciting bids for multiple projects at one time.

Kevin Bailey, Owner, High Peaks Solar in Wynantskill: “The growth of my PV installation company has been tremendous over the past seven years, and we have been nearly doubling or tripling our growth in sales and installation capacity every year over the past five years. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, the price of photovoltaic technology, including solar modules and inverters, has been rapidly decreasing. This has led to increased access to more people and more work for installation companies like High Peaks Solar.”

Gordon Woodcock, Renewables Department Manager, Taitem Engineering in Ithaca “Taitem Engineering’s Renewables Department has more than doubled in size over the past year thanks to support through the NY-Sun initiative; low-cost, accessible financing through Green Jobs-Green New York; and innovative customer outreach programs such as Solar Tompkins and Solarize Southern Tier. We have added technical staff, sales and marketing professionals, and experienced contractors while also training entry level installers. Our diversity hiring initiatives have supported this growth, and shown that the renewable energy industry provides opportunity for our entire community.”

Jeff Irish, Founder and President, Hudson Solar in Rhinebeck and Albany, said, “As an entirely New York based solar design and installation company, we’ve benefited greatly from the NY-Sun initiative. Our Capital District and Hudson Valley solar installations and employment have both been growing at double digit annual rates recently. Hudson Solar’s mission is to help our region move to a better energy future, and we’re continuing to invest in our business and our experienced local team to do so.”

Adam K. Rizzo, President, Solar Liberty in Buffalo, said, “Solar Liberty has continued to rapidly grow and add employees because of the NY-Sun initiative. This year, we plan to install more residential and commercial systems than anytime in Solar Liberty’s history. We are proud to be partnered with NYSERDA since our company’s inception in 2003 and look forward to continuing to expand our business in New York State.”

Under Governor Cuomo’s initiative for Reforming the Energy Vision, New York State will spur clean energy innovation, bring in new investments, improve consumer choice while protecting the environment and energize New York’s economy. This pioneering approach provides New Yorkers new opportunities for energy savings, local power generation, and enhanced reliability. To achieve the State’s economic development and environmental objectives, Reforming the Energy Vision encompasses statewide initiatives such as the Clean Energy Fund and $1 billion NY Green Bank to overcome market barriers and attract private capital. By empowering communities and creating jobs through programs like Community Solar NY and K-Solar for schools, the $40 million NY-Prize competition for community microgrids and the $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, New York is leveraging statewide resources to integrate local energy resources and meet the needs of New York communities.

For more information on Reforming the Energy Vision, please visit http://www.ny.gov/REV4NY.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a couple who are wanted for questioning in a grand larceny investigation in Commack.

A man and woman were shopping in Dress Gala, located at 1143 Route 25, on May 21 at approximately 5:10 p.m. when the man reached into an employee’s pocketbook and stole credit cards.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a couple who are wanted for questioning in a grand larceny investigation in Commack. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.